McCarron's 2,933 yards in 2012 don't stack up with quarterbacks who play in more pass-happy offenses -- Baylor's Nick Florence led the FBS last year with 4,309 passing yards. But McCarron completed 67 percent of his passes and threw 30 touchdowns to only three interceptions.

If he replicates those numbers, or perhaps improves upon them, and has Alabama in position to play for a third straight national title in January, Brandt could be onto something.